Can't make new flight time as not in the country!!

LJDowson

Hello. I booked separate non refundable flights via Trip.Com for a day trip Leeds to Dublin 0830 land 0930.  Return 2230 land 2330.  Same day 16/11/23. 

Trip.com have said thay the return flight is now cancelled so have booked me onto the ONLY other return flight that day, at 0730, land 0830 in leeds.

Except this return flight is before my outbound so I wont even be in Ireland at 0730 to catch this flight! 

Ive called to be told I can't get a refund on the leeds to dublin flight as thats still running and I can only get a partial refund on the inbound flight, so around 35% what Ive paid to book both flights.

This is madness as none of this is my fault, and I can't exactly fly there if cant get back!

And I cant fly the alternative flight offered as wont be in Ireland to catch it, nor would I be able to get off in leeds at 0830, collect luggage and get on the 0830 back to Dublin as will then be stranded in Ireland and have to book a 3rd flight back.

Can anyone offer me any advice. They basically said you booked non refundable flights. Im so angry. Thanks in advance of your kind help fellow Forumites.

DullGreyGuy

https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations/

As its more than 14 days from your flight there is no compensation to consider for the cancellation.

As its two separate tickets not a return each is dealt with individually. There is nothing wrong with your outbound flight so that ticket is unchangable/unrefundable. 

For the cancelled return flight you are free to choose a refund or to be rebooked onto another flight. Check what flights are available and then negotiate with the airline but it sounds like you'll be getting a flight back the next day

eskbanker

LJDowson said:

I booked separate non refundable flights via Trip.Com

That's three individual issues there that collectively cause your problem....

LJDowson said:

I can only get a partial refund on the inbound flight, so around 35% what Ive paid to book both flights.

The airline should refund the cost of the inbound flight in full, but the agent may impose a fee for processing this on your behalf.

LJDowson said:

Trip.com have said thay the return flight is now cancelled so have booked me onto the ONLY other return flight that day, at 0730, land 0830 in leeds.

There's an Aer Lingus/Emerald flight from DUB to LBA at 18:35 that day, available from Trip.com at £38.80, can't they put you on that instead of rebooking with the same airline as the cancelled flight?

daveyjp

Don't use trip.com for an internal flight with more services than some bus routes.

Direct with airline is far easier and simpler if things go wrong and no agent fees for cancellation.

Friends who do that day trip take a mid morning to Dublin, spend the day and evening in the city then get to the airport for 2am ready for the first flight out next morning.

LJDowson

Thanks All.  What a mess.  Appreciate your responses. My daughter now says this IS a return flight, however we can't poss fly dublin to leeds in the morning as we won't be in Ireland.  I'll keep arguing

Caz3121

LJDowson said:

My daughter now says this IS a return flight, however we can't poss fly dublin to leeds in the morning as we won't be in Ireland. 

Looking at the schedules that day it looks like the outbound flight (0830 land 0930) is Aer Lingus and the return leg (now 0730, land 0830) is Ryanair
Where Trip have these mixed carriers (they cannot both be on the same airline booking with these two airlines) they show it as "Split Booking - Itinerary will be split across multiple bookings and flight tickets" 
They may be on the same Trip.com reference but it is likely there are two unconnected airline bookings involved in which case their response on not getting refund for unaffected flight would be correct.

zagfles

Caz3121 said:

LJDowson said:

My daughter now says this IS a return flight, however we can't poss fly dublin to leeds in the morning as we won't be in Ireland. 

Looking at the schedules that day it looks like the outbound flight (0830 land 0930) is Aer Lingus and the return leg (now 0730, land 0830) is Ryanair
Where Trip have these mixed carriers (they cannot both be on the same airline booking with these two airlines) they show it as "Split Booking - Itinerary will be split across multiple bookings and flight tickets" 
They may be on the same Trip.com reference but it is likely there are two unconnected airline bookings involved in which case their response on not getting refund for unaffected flight would be correct.

If it was on the same booking reference with the agent then it clearly demonstrates how pointless it is using an agent! It should be obvious to them a return can't happen before the outbound!

Voyager2002

zagfles said:

If it was on the same booking reference with the agent then it clearly demonstrates how pointless it is using an agent! It should be obvious to them a return can't happen before the outbound!

Oh, but it was three pounds cheaper using the agent. The saving would have been enough for an entire cup of coffee if the flights had worked out properly.

[Deleted User]

Never book through third parties like Trip.com.

LJDowson

Little update. Seems I can now get a full refund for the cancelled flight but they're only offering vouchers. Can I insist on a cash refund? I think I can, but what do I argue/quote as my rights?
Ive also found a return flight Dublin to Manchester instead rather than leeds at a similar time so just want a cash refund for this ryanair flight via trip and will rebook the new flight direct (they've said they cant organise this so my daughter needd to contact ryanair to organise a flight change) theyre the so-called travel agent FGS!!
Good job its not til Nov so plenty time to sort this debacle out !!

LJDowson

Oh and to clear it up both flights were booked on the same booking reference but with different airlines, so Trip were fully aware of both flight times when the change was made to the return flight.  NEVER use Trip !!